before 1 of 2

1
as in to
earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in against
preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

before

2 of 2

adverb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of before
Preposition
That startup sold to Square (now Block) in 2020 in a deal worth north of $100 million, where the pair expanded their AI expertise before launching Pickford AI in 2024. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025 Opendoor also named Rabois as chairman and said Eric Wu, who served as the company's first CEO before stepping down in 2023, would return to the board. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
The day before, the Cubs had also lost their closer and the Philadelphia Phillies had lost the entire left side of their infield. Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025 In August, as in months before, there are clear indications that prices — particularly for items that are not widely produced domestically — are on the rise. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • In addition to higher rates and fewer terms, Rocket also charges closing costs, which Third Federal does not.
    Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Overall, aspirin makes the environment more challenging for cancer to get a foothold in, particularly for people with the genetic makeup predisposed to dysregulated cell function, where cancer cell growth and division is more likely.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Robinson made his first appearance in court on Tuesday where prosecutors announced murder charges against him.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The expansion team has lost each of its last five games against the Lynx, and most recently suffered one of their worst losses of the season in Game 1 on Sunday in a 29-point defeat.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • That deal would potentially break a rule that no single broadcaster can reach more than 39 percent of American homes, so the FCC would have to lift the cap in order for the merger to go ahead.
    Amanda Castro Shane Croucher Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Go ahead and then play around and kick the tires on doing some vibe coding.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Carbon credit monetization – Forward-looking companies are already earning credits by capturing and storing emissions, feeding into voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
    Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon—it is already embedded in healthcare systems.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • The Utah Department of Public Safety released several additional photos in the evening.
    Connor Greene, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The paper also highlights the potential of digital twins — virtual patient replicas that allow doctors to simulate treatments before applying them in real life.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • This, however, was quite a different context from when Bianca Censori stepped out in a see-through dress at the Grammys earlier this year with her husband Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Lopes has good technical striking skills, at least early in his fights, and excellent grappling.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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